Celebrating Homeownership Month

Tuesday, June 05, 2018

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to recognize how owning a home relates not just to achieving the American Dream, but also to providing stable lives for families and creating stronger neighborhoods and communities. Homeownership is always a focus for GROW South Dakota, as we provide a variety of products and services to help people purchase or improve their homes. GROW SD has made 324 loans this year.

GROW SD is putting three newly constructed single family homes on the market in Sisseton. These two bedroom, two bath homes include a two-car garage and are 1,140-1,230 square feet. Construction of the homes was financed through a grant from Project Reinvest: Homeownership. GROW SD also currently has a home for sale in Eden.

GROW SD also makes affordable housing possible through its housing lending line of business. Two primary programs that help people get into homes include direct first mortgages and down payment assistance. The former loans have a typical maximum of $175,000 to purchase a home. The latter are loans that help buyers cover a down payment and/or other closing costs. This may be accomplished via a deferred second mortgage that is not repaid until the first mortgage on the house is paid off or a forgivable loan.

Along with buying a home, GROW SD has programs to help homeowners make their houses safer, healthier and energy efficient through home rehabilitation and weatherization improvements. These projects are typically arranged as grants or forgivable loans to the homeowner.

Many loan programs require homebuyer education offered by GROW SD to help prepare prospective homeowners for success. This education focuses on getting buyers ready for buying a house—e.g., applying for a home loan, getting their credit in shape, and preparing for the costs of borrowing—and owning a house—e.g., a heads up on maintenance needs, costs of repairs, and other challenges that can come from homeownership.

In addition to homes for purchase, GROW SD offers homes for rent. The organization owns and/or manages 100 apartments for rent in Sisseton and Milbank.

More information on these programs, including applications, visit www.growsd.org. Many GROW SD programs require that participants meet program-related income and eligibility requirements.

GROW SD is always focused on providing the best possible service to people who want to become homeowners and homeowners who want to make their homes safer, healthier, and more energy efficient.

The nation has formally celebrated the benefits of homeownership for more than 20 years. In 1995, President Clinton announced National Homeownership Week, and President George W. Bush extended it in 2002, declaring the month of June to be National Homeownership Month.

GROW South Dakota is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. It has served South Dakota communities since 1966. The organization provides housing, community, and economic development to 10,000 customers annually.

Category: GROW SD

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Interested in owning a home? Learn about credit, money management, affordability, finding the right house, and more! Inquire about our one-on-one homebuyer education or online education. Call or email us for more information!